Travel

Foreign Tourists Praise Japan's Tourist Centers for Over-the-Top Hospitality

TOKYO, Mar 28 (News On Japan) - Foreign tourists in Japan are showering praise on local tourist information centers for their warm and detailed support—sometimes even considered 'overly helpful.' These centers assist visitors with everything from translation hiccups and complex train transfers to finding hidden scenic spots, cultural experiences, and rental services.

In Tokyo’s Asakusa, multilingual staff help tourists with inquiries about kimono rentals, wheelchair loans, Wi-Fi setup, and transportation passes. In Osaka’s bustling Namba Station, tourists receive step-by-step guidance on confusing transfers and sightseeing suggestions tailored to tight schedules.

Meanwhile, in Yamanashi’s Lake Yamanaka area, staff guide visitors to ideal spots for capturing rare views of Mt. Fuji, including the elusive "Diamond Fuji" phenomenon. One man from Hong Kong, who previously failed to capture the sight due to bad weather, was finally able to photograph it with the help of the center.

Across Japan, these tourist centers are going above and beyond, not only solving problems but creating unforgettable experiences for travelers—earning heartfelt appreciation from visitors around the world.

Source: FNN

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

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Elderly Hokkaido Man Punches Bear in the Nose

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Bear Appears Near Tokyo Homes and Schools

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A Russian man in his 30s suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a bear while hiking on Mount Mutsuishi in Okutama Town, western Tokyo, at around 12:10 p.m. on May 17th, according to the Metropolitan Police Department and the Tokyo Fire Department.

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